SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwire - January 21, 2010) - ECG Management Consultants, Inc., one of the
nation's premier healthcare management
consulting firms, has announced the commencement of the Northwest
Provider Compensation, Production, and Benefits Surveys, year 2010 based on
2009 data. 2010 marks the eleventh year that the Northwest surveys have
been conducted by ECG, and these surveys have become valuable and respected
resources for provider performance benchmarks in this market.

ECG's Northwest
surveys analyze and report information from nearly 4,000 healthcare
providers representing 54 physician specialties and 8 midlevel provider
specialties in the states of Washington and Oregon. The surveys comprise
critical data such as compensation-to-production ratios, including work and
total relative value units (RVUs) (calculated by ECG from provider-level
CPT code data); procedure code distributions; trends in provider recruiting
and retention, including recruiting bonuses by specialty; and
specialty-specific benefit and malpractice comparisons. This information,
coupled with ECG's interpretation of market trends, enables survey
participants to assess their performance relative to the competitive local
market.

ECG's commitment to quality is reflected in the Northwest survey.
We have been a participant in the survey since its initiation in 2000
and rely on the complete and comprehensive information it provides to
assess our competitiveness. I encourage all of our peer organizations
to participate in the Northwest survey and believe other markets would
benefit from working with ECG to customize a survey in their local
market.
Mr. Richard H. Cooper
Chief Executive Officer
The Everett Clinic, Everett, Washington

Electronic survey instruments are being distributed in February with
submissions accepted through March. Survey results will be available by
July; however, only those organizations actively participating will have
access to this report.

ECG offers a broad range of strategic, financial, operational, and
technology-related consulting services to healthcare providers. A leader
in the healthcare industry, ECG provides specialized expertise in
developing and implementing innovative and customized solutions that
effectively address hospital/physician relationships, strategic and
business planning, specialty program development, information technology,
and the complexities of the academic healthcare enterprise. ECG has
offices in Seattle, Boston, Washington, D.C., San Diego, and St. Louis.
For more information, visit www.ecgmc.com.